Traveling-floor furnace



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. B. COXE. TR'AYELING FLOOR EURNA-GE.

X .0 O 9 N 8. e L Mm 1.1. a Cam. M d 7n. wv D e Lb D1 .IIS

we Nonms Pszns no. vuoaumo.. wAsNmcrroN. D. c.

(No Model.) 5 sheets-sheen 2.

E. B. COXE. TRAVBLING FLOOR PURNAGE.

No. 536,372. PatentefdlVIar. 2.6, 1895.

(No Model.) l 5 Sheetsf-Sheet 4. E. B. GOXE. TRAVELING FLOOR FURNAGE'.

No. 536,372. Patented Mar. 26, 1895.

(No M0de1.)` 5 sheets-shed 5.

E. B. COKE.

TRAVELING FLOOR FURNAGE.

No. 536,372. Patented Mar. 26,1895.

@iugm UNITED STATI-3s PATENT OFFICE.

ECKLEY B. COXE, OF DRIFTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRAvi-:LING-FLOOR FuRNACE.,

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 536,372, dated March26, 1895.

Application iiled July 30,1894. Serial No. 518,918. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EOKLEY B. COXE,a citizen of the United States, residing at Drifton,

in the county of Luzerne and State of Penn-` sylvania, have invented certain new and uselarly.intended as an improvement upon furnaces of this class employing reciprocatory furnace-floors for imparting a traveling movement to the fuel.

It is the object of my present invention to provide, in connection with a furnace of this class, a fuel-traveling furnace-floor vcomprising a plurality of door-sections adapted to have an oscillatory movement, and to provide mechanism in connection with, and adapted for imparting slightly oscillatory but parallel movements to, said Hoor-sections, and in such manner that they will have a relatively slow forward movement and a relatively rapid backward movement either separately or successively, and will upon the inauguration of or during this movement subject the fuel to a slight agitation or vertical movement suiiicient to loosen the mass, break the continuity thereof, and in a great measure prevent adhesion of cinders or burning fuel to the furnace-door, thereby securing the best practical results with regard to uniformity in the traveling movement of the fuel, at the minimum expense of power.

Another object of the invention is to secure simplicity, durability and eiiiciency in -the furnace-floor-supporting and actuating mechanism.v

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of a furnace of the class specified embodying my present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectionrof the same, taken in line a-c't, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a Vertical Vcross-section of the furnace, on an enlarged scale, taken in line L -ct, Fig. 2, looking toward the right-hand' in said figure. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are side views of the swinging frames which support, and permit theosfuel is supplied to the furnace-floor.

cillating movement of, the successive floorsections which comprise the furnace-floor. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views of a floor-section, one of its supporting frames, and the/operating mechanism therefor, said figures showing the'operation of the actuating mechanism for the furnace-floor, and illustrating tive successive positions assumed by the floor-section in its forward and backward movements. Fig. 12 is a sectional side elevation of one member of one of the`i'loor-se'ctionactuating cams, on an enlarged scale, said figure also being in the nature of a diagram illustrating the comparative equations of velocity of the advancing and retracting camfaces thereof. Fig. 13 is a cross-section of said cam-member, taken in dotted line .fc-0c, Fig. 12, looking-downward in said ligure.

Fig. 14 is a similar cross-section, taken in line -oc, Fig. 12, looking upward in said figure.

Fig. 15 is a profile or diagram showing the graphic equation of the grate-section velocity.

For the purpose of illustrating the application and utility of my present invention, I have shown my improvements applied to a furnace similar to the one described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 499,716, granted to me June 20, 1893, to which reference may be had. In the present instance, however, the furnace-chamber designated by C is shown covered for a considerable portion of its length by a reverberatory roof, A; and a boiler, B, (a portion only of which is shown,) is supported over the rearward portion of said furnace-chamber. It will be understood, however, that my improvements are applicable lto any form of furnace having a furnacechamber capable of receiving a traveling furnace-iloor.

' In the furnace partially shown in the drawings, the furnace-chamber C is inclosed by the usual side-walls, 2 and 4, is covered by a roof, A, which in practice will be made of firebrick or other like material, and the front and rear end-walls, 3 and 5, respectively, and also has the usual bridge-wall, 7, at the rear end of said furnace-chamber. In the front end-wall 3 is a passage-way, 5', through which At the forward end of the furnace, this is shown supplied with the usual fuel-supply hopper, H,-

from which fuel is supplied to the furnace- ICO floor through the inclinedchute or opening 5', in a well-known manner.

The furnace is shown provided with afueltraveling furnace-floor or grate, designated in a general way by K, and which in accordance with my present invention consists of a plurality of alternate series of independent Hoor-sections or grate-sections, which sections comprise a plurality of grate bar-supporting beams and a series of grate-bars carritd by said beams. The beams of these successive series of grate-sections are designated by E, F, and G, respectively, the aggregate number of grate-beams in the entire series being herein shown as thirteen, and the gratebars carried by said beams are designated by INI. It will be understood, however, that the number of gratesections employed will, in practice, depend upon the width of the furnacechamber and the size of the grate-sections it is desired to use. y y

As a means for supporting the beams E, F and Gof the three successive series of gratesections and providing for a slight oscillatory as well as a parallel movement thereof, each series of grate-beams is shown independently supported at the upper ends of a set of oscillatory carriers or swinging frames, E', E2, F', F2; and G', G2, respectively, which frames are shown pivotally supported attheir lower sideedges, preferably by trunnions, 10, in sockets or bearings lO' preferably secured to the inner faces of the side-walls 2 and 4 of the furnace, as most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings', the oscillating carriers or swinging frames E', F' and G' being preferably located adjacent to the forward end of the gratebeams, and the ones E2, F2 and G2 being located near the rearward end of the grate-beams, as shown in said Fig. 2.

The successive sets of swinging carrierframes E', E2; F', F2; and G', G2, which are preferably of angular trusslike construction, are provided at their upper ends with a series of equi-distantly disposed grate-section supporting arms, e3, fsand g3, the supporting arms ofthe three sets of carrier-frames being so disposed relatively to each other and with relation to the length of said frames, or the width of the furnace-chamber, as to alternate one with the other, each set of swinging frames supporting a series` of grate-sections and each being capable of movement independent of the succeeding set. These floor-` section-carrying frames, as before stated, are provided at their lower ends at opposite edges thereof with trunnions, IO, which are remov ably-supported in sockets, IO', secured preferably to the sidewalls of the furnace-charnber, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The swinging frames of each setl of frames are in parallel disposition with relation to each other and extend below the grate-sections transversely at right angles to the length thereof, as will be understood by reference to said Figs. 2 and 3. The upper end of the carrying arms e3, f3 and g3 will preferably be rounded slightly, to reduce fric-4 tion.

In connection with the several series of grate-sections, I have shown provided actuating-mechanism adapted for imparting a relatively slow advancing movement and a relatively rapid retractive movement to the successive series of grate-sections, the construction and operation. of which will be hereinafter described.

Underneath the furnace-floor or grate-sec tions is placed an air-blast apparatus, which,

y in the preferred form thereof herein shown,

comprises the successive air-blast chambers a, b, c and d, which may be of the same general construction and arrangement as the airblast chambersdescribed in the Patent No. 499,716 hereinbefore referred to. In this iu- -stance, however, the dividing-walls ct', b' and c' are each shown having openings, 8, therethrough communicating with the next adjacent chamber, and slide-valves, or gates, 8', are provided adjacent to said communicating `openings for regulating the areas of said openings, which valves may be similar in construction and operation to those described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 510,574, granted to me December 12, 1893. Preferably, air is supplied from asupply-pipe, P, which is supplied from any suitable airsupply, first to the air-chamber b, it` passing thence into the air-chambers a and c at opposite sides of the chamber ZJ, and thence from chamber c into chamber (l, as will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. The chamber d at the rear end of the furnace-chamber C not only constitutes an airchamber for supplying air to the fuel, but also constitutes an inclosing chamber for the grate-section carriers or frames E2, F2 and G2, and the chamber a, at

`the forward end of the furnace likewise constitutes an inclosing chamber for the gratesection carriers or frames E', F and G', and the gratesection-actuatingmechanism, as will also be seen by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In the foi'mthereof herein shown, the gratebeams are normally supported in parallelism side by side and are longitudinally-disposed with relation to the furnace-chamber C, and each grate-beam is in the nature of a channel-rail having a` pocket or socket, 9, at the under side and at each end thereof, to receive the actuating or supporting arms, ll, of the swinging carrier-frames; and each beam will preferably have a series of remotely-disposed dovetailed' transverse flanges 12 at the upper y faces thereof, adapted for receiving, each, one

or more grate-bars or Hoor-plates, M, which grate-bars or floor-plates may be substantially the same asthe grate-bars or floor-plates described in United .States Patent No. 515,656,

grantedto me February 27, 1894; which gratebars are provided at their` under sides with depending lips, 13 and 13', and are held in place upon the grate-beam by the interlock- ICO IOS

. 5seen ing engagement of said lips with the sideedges of the transverse flanges 12 upon the grate-beam, said grate-bars being each provided with laterally-projecting lugs, 13, at one side-edge thereof, which bear against the face of the next adjacent grate-bar,leavinga space between said bars for the passage of air from the air-chambers to the fuel supported upon said grate-bars.

The several series of grate-beams E, F and G, respectively, and their grate-bars M, comprising the grate-sections,are adapted to have, all together, or the major portion of them, a relatively slow forward movement, and to have successively a relatively quick return or backward movement. Said successive series of grate-sections, or the major portion of them,

are simultaneously advanced toward the lefthand in Figs. 1 and 2 by means of suitable actuating-devices, as will be hereinafter fully described, and during said advancing movement the remaining series will be retracted to their original positions. In other words, a quick-return movement is imparted to one or more of said series of grate-sections while the remaining series are completing their adbeams F will lie between the beams E and G,

and the beams G will lie between the beams E and F; so that the beams of one series will alternate with the beams of the other series. By this construction and organization, the layer of fuel, designatedby L, resting upon the grate-sections is carried uninterruptedly forward Atoward the rear end of the furnace with a uniform movement coinciding with the forward movement of the majority of said sections, thus securing practically the same results as are obtained in a furnace employing f an endless traveling grate such, for instance,

as is shown in the Patent No. 499,716 hereinbefore referred to.

Duringthe quick-return movement of aportion of the grate-sections while the majorityl cam-and-lever mechanism, which in thepreferred form thereof herein shown consists of a series of 4double cams or sets of, cams, designated by m, n and o, respectively, therebeing one set or one double cam for each series of grate-sections, which cams are carried by a transverse shaft, 15,journaled in bearings, 16 and 17, upon the side-walls of the furnacechamber C, preferably contiguous to the airchamber a. These cams m, n and o are operatively connected with the swinging carrier-frames E', F and G which support the forward ends of the series of grate-sections E, F and G, respectively, by means of connecting-links, m', n and or, whichare pivotally-secured at one end to the said swinging carrier-frames and carry friction-rollers at their opposite ends which engage the working faces of the cams, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

As a means for rotating the cam-shaft 15, said cam-shaft will be provided at one end with a worm-wheel, represented by the dotted circle 40 in Fig. 2, which wormwheel `meshes with a worm, 41, carried by the driving-shaft, 42, which is supported in bearings,

V43 and 43', upon the side-wall of thc furnacebear on the working-faces of the two members which comprise the actuating cam. Each member of the actuating-cam comprises the main body-portion, 20, peripherally spiraled at 2l to form the eccentric cam-face for imparting `the relatively slow advancingmovement to the grate-sectiomand having a quick-drop or let-off portion, 22, and the circumferentiallygrooved extension 23 contiguous to said letoff portion, which groove, designated by 24, forms the retracting cam-face, 25, for imparting the quick-return movement to the gratesection, as most clearly shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, which figure shows the eccentricity ofthe spiral cam-face 2l and the degree of inclination of the retracting cam-face relatively thereto. In practice, the two members of the actuating-cam will be joined together by a hub, 26, preferably formed integral'therewith, which hub forms a stable bearing through. which the cam-shaft is extended. These cams will be so disposed with relation to each other upon the camshaft and will be s0 timed in their movements as toimpart the requisite movements, serially, to the gratesections.

ICO

IXO

izo'

The grate-section-actuating'levers willpreferably be slotted at their ends adjacent to the cams, and are carried by swinging links, 27, which are pivotally connected thereto at one end and are pivotally connected at their upper ends to brackets, 28, secured to the upper wall ot' the air-chamber a, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, which construction and arrangement permits an oscillatory reciprocation of the grate-sections and secures a stability conducive to effective operation and durability of working parts.

In operation, assuming the rollers 18 of an actuating-lever to be in the position illustrated by the dotted circle 18 in Fig. 12 of the drawings, or in the position shown in full lines in Fig. ll, a rotation of the cam in the direction of the arrow will, owing to the eccentricity of the cam-face 21, bring the successive points designated by the dotted lines, q, fr, s and t, successively, contiguous to said roller, moving the same outward together with the actuating-link, the carrier-frame connected therewith, and the grate-sections carried by said carrier-frame, from the position shown in Fig. 11, which is the extreme retractive position, to the position shown in Fig. 7, which is approximately the extreme forward position thereof, after which a continued rotation will bring successive portions thereof between the lines t, n, o and zu, contiguous to the roller, retracting with a relatively quick movement the grate-section from the position shown in Fig. 7 successively to the positions illustrated in Figs. 8, 9,10 and 11; which will be fully understood by reference to Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive, of the drawings.4 The velocity of the return movement as compared with the velocity of the advancing movement of said mechanism, will be clearly apparent by an eX- amination of Fig. 12 aforesaid.

It will be seen that while the grate -sections have a recprocatory movement in parallel lines, they also have a slight oscillatory movement, which, in practice, although hardly perceptible, will be suflcient, pwing to the alternate movements of the several grate-sections, to break the continuity of the supported mass of fuel, and still with not sufficient abruptness to injuriously agitate said fuel.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In a furnace, the combination with the ,furnace-chamber, of a furnace-floor supported within said chamber and comprising alternating series of longitudinally-disposed gratesections adapted for supporting a bed of fuel, a series of pairs of oscillatory frames disposed transversely of the furnace-chamber and in position and adapted for supporting and longitudinally oscillating said grate-sections, a series of arms fixedly secured to each frame of each pair and similarly disposed relatively to the arms of the other frame of its pair and alternately disposed relatively tothe series of arms of the other pairs of said frames and in position and adapted for actuating one series of grate-sections whereby said grate-sections are supported in alternating disposition relatively to the grate-sections of the other series, and means in connection with and adapted for oscillating said frames with a relativelyslow forward movement and a relatively-rapid return movement and thereby carrying the fuel forward and vertically agitating the same, substantially as described.

2. In a furnace, the combination with the f urnace-chamber, of a furnace-floor supported within said furnace-chamber and comprising alternating series of longitudinally-disposed grate-sections adapted for supporting a bed of fuel, a series of pairs of oscillatory frames disposed transversely of the furnace-chamber and in position and adapted for supporting and longitudinally oscillating said grate-sections, a series of arms ixedly secured to each frame of each pair and similarly disposed relatively to the arms of the other frame ot' its pair and alternately disposed relatively to the series of arms of the other pairs of said frames and in position and adapted for actuating one series of grate-sections whereby said gratesections are supported in alternating disposition relatively to the grate-sections of the other series, and a grate-section actuator in connection witheach pair of coacting frames and adapted to oscillate the same with a relatively-slow forward movement and a relatively-rapid return movement and thereby carry the fuel forward and vertically agitate the same, substantially as described.

3. In a furnace, the combination with the furnace-chamber, of a furnace-Hoor supported within said furnace-chamber and comprising alternating series of fuel-supporting gratesections disposedlongitudinallyofthe furnace and adapted for movement in substantially the same horizontal plane, a series of pairs of oscillatory frames disposed transversely of the furnace-chamber and in position and adapted for supporting and longitudinally oscillating said grate-sections, a series of arms fixedly secured to each `frame of each pair and similarly disposed relatively to the arms o f the other frame of its pair and alternately disposed relatively to the series of arms of the other pairs of said frames and in position and adapted for actuating one series of grate-sections whereby said grate-sections are supported in alternating disposition relatively to the grate-sections of the other series, and a gratesection actuator in connection with each pair of coacting frames and adapted to oscillate the same with a relatively-slow forward movement and a relatively-rapid return movement and thereby carry forward the fuel supported on the grate-sections and vertically agitate the fuel, substantially as described.

4. In a furnace, the combination with the fu mace-chamber, of a furnace-floor supported within said furnace-chamber and comprising alternating series of longitudinally-disposed grate-sections adapted for supporting a bed of fuel, a series of pairs of oscillatory frames IOO IIO

disposed transversely of the f urnace-chamber and pivotally supported at their lower ends and in position and adapted for supporting and oscillating said grate-sections, a series of arms xedly secured to each frame of each pair and similarly disposed relatively to the arms of the other frame of its pair and alternately disposed relatively to the series of arms of the other pairs of said frames and in position and adapted for actuating one series of grate-sections whereby said grate-sections are supported in alternating disposition relatively to the grate-sections of the other series, and a grate-section actuator in connection with each pair of coactin g frames and adapted to oscillate the sanne with a relatively slow forward movementand a relatively-rapid return movement and thereby carry the fuel forward and vertically agitate the same, substantially as described.

5. In a furnace, the combination with'the furnace chamber, of a pair of oscillatory frames disposed transversely of the furnacechamber and adjacent to opposite ends of the grate-sections and havinga series of remotelyand similarly-disposed arms xedly secured to their upper sides and adapted for supporting and longitudinally oscillating the gratesections, a series of grate-sections supported at their opposite ends upon the arms of said oscillatory frames and ladapted for supporting a bed of fuel, and means in connection with and adapted for oscillating said frames tially as described.

with a relatively-slow forward movement and a relatively-rapid return movement and thereby carrying forward the fuel and vertically agitating the same, substantially as described.

6. In a furnace, the combination with the f urnace-chamber, of a furnace-Hoor supported within said furnace-chamber and comprising alternating series of longitudinally-disposed grate-sections, a series of pairs of oscillatory frames disposed transversely of the furnacechamber and in position and adapted for supporting and oscillating said grate-sections, a series of arms fixedly secured to each frame of each pair and similarly disposed relatively to the arms of the other frame of its pair and alternately disposed relatively to the series of arms of the other pairs of said frames, and in position and adapted for actuating one series of gratesections whereby said grate-sections are supported in alternating disposition relatively to the grate-sections'of the other series, and a cam-and-link actuator in connection with and adapted for actuating each pair of oscillatory frames and thereby oscillating each of the grate-sections with a relativelyslow forward movement and a relatively-rapid return movement whereby the fuel is carried forward and is vertically agitated, substanl ECKLEY B. COKE.v Witnesses:

WM. B. BELLES,

STEWART F. MAOFARLANE. 

